The three days of workshops and discussion groups, which included substantial representation from indigenous groups, yielded a look at climate justice from the perspective of the Global South, as well as the movement’s left flank.

“Humanity confronts a great dilemma: to continue on the path of capitalism, depredation, and death, or to choose the path of harmony with nature and respect for life,” the agreement declares.

According to the Cochabamba declaration, the climate debt owed to developing nations includes both economic reparations and adaptation payments. The agreement also calls for a new International Tribunal of Conscience to hold wealthy nations accountable.

During last December’s talks in Copenhagen, a group of the planet’s wealthy nations convened behind closed doors to reach agreement on vague, non-binding goals for reducing carbon emissions, setting the stage for temperature rises well above the 2 degree ceiling needed to avoid climate calamity. Although none of those countries sent their top leaders to Bolivia, cabinet-level representatives of 20 nations attended.

Summit leaders plan to take the People’s Summit declaration to the next round of U.N.-hosted climate talks in Cancún, Mexico, later this year.

—Jim Shultz attended the Cochabamba conference. He is executive director of The Democracy Center.

“It’s the shot heard ’round the world for American clean energy.”

Ian Bowles, secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, on the approval of the nation’s first offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound.

ALSO ...

In the United States, the Enivronmental Protection Agency has
regulated the use of wastewater as fertilizer as some can contain heavy
metals and other toxins.

The UNEP encourages well-planned use of wastewater to ensure crops and groundwater aren’t contaminated.

Climate talks end with People’s Agreement

Also ... United Nations Environment Programme study encourages use of waste water.

Canada frees up foreign aid

Farmworkers rally for higher pay

In India, fake money is payback

Roads aren’t just for cars anymore

Also ... Los Angeles Mayor to speed up construction of light rail lines.

More states may create public banks

Public housing goes green

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A new study from the United Nations Environment Programme, Sick Water,
encourages using wastewater as fertilizer to minimize water pollution.
Because wastewater includes many of the same nutrients as fertilizer,
proper management can harness the waste to boost food production,
rather than contaminate clean water.